TO SIR AND ARUNDA WITH
LOVE:

TO SIR AND ARUNDA WITH LOVE: The St. Xavier's College choir at a
condolence meeting for Rohinton Kapadia, former professor and head of the
English department at the college, and Arun Acharya, canteen manager for almost
five decades, on Monday. Students and teachers were joined by alumni and friends
as the college paid tribute to the 'gentleman professor' and the 'kind-hearted Arunda'. Rohinton Kapadia
- 'Kapi' to generations of students - passed away on
January 11 and Arun Acharya - Arunda to all Xaverians - on January 17.
'Professor Kapadia was an exceptional teacher.... He belonged to a generation
which believed in hard work and excellence; the void he has left behind will
thus be difficult to fill,' said principal Father Felix Raj. He described Arunda
as 'a wonderful man, an institution in himself'. Former principal Father PC
Mathew said students of Xavier's were 'privileged to be taught by Rohinton and
served by Arunda'. Remembering his association of 35 years with Kapadia, Father
Mathew called him 'a perfect teacher, an icon'. Krishna Sen, adviser to the
English department, fondly remembered a close, personal friend of 40 years. 'A
death of a good man is a very special cause to mourn, and he was that. He was a
gentle man, a loving man, and a man who taught righteousness. His luminous
1000-watt smile will always be there with all of us,' she said. Pictures by B. Halder.